reminiscing bike ride

this is boney mountain.  it is the highest peak of the santa monica mountain range and the furthest north end.  just north of its base lies sycamore canyon where you can walk or ride your bike down to sycamore beach.  it is a gorgeous 8 mile ride through groves of grand old sycamore trees and something we used to do when we lived across the street for 8 years before moving to st. maarten.

 these are the mailboxes at the entrance of the driveway to this state and national park where rangers live and where there is a visitor's center for people to ask questions and learn more about the beautiful native plants and animals in this chaparral habitat.

this was the first time ezra rode his own bike here.  but, he's been on this pathway many times before.  it is where i used to walk with him in the stroller when he was a wee babe and would sometimes turn back toward home because i met up with a small pack of coyotes.  i worried that ezra's little cries would make them hungry.  this is the same path we rode our bikes on with ezra in his seat admiring the beautiful surroundings.  ezra walked on this street after he learned how to walk well.  we came here with michael's parents to release a rehabilitated red-tailed hawk back into its natural habitat.  this was where we walked almost everyday when we lived here and it brought me joy and peace - i was very much looking forward to visiting this special place in nature that i hold dear to my heart.  

on this particular day last week my mom came with us.  she too had walked many times with us here.  we often brought our friends and family out here for a walk.  

this was always a favorite part of the walk for me - the hill leading up to the big eucalyptus tree on the right.  there are more leading up to this one and when there is a breeze, which there often is, you can smell the minty fragrance from their leaves.  

ezra loved riding down the sloping street free of cars.

i gather strength deep within whenever i gaze at this beautiful peak.

 i love this mountain,

and this man,

and my shadow.  it is my favorite way to take my picture 

(the lack of blemishes on my face i think).

these mustard flowers remind me of someone dear who is no longer here,

i love all these things i can find out in nature and sharing them with those i love.